Virtual reality remote valet parking

ABSTRACT

Techniques and examples pertaining to virtual reality remote valet parking are described. A processor of a control system of a vehicle may establish a wireless communication with a remote controller. The processor may provide a stream of video images captured by a camera of the vehicle to the remote controller. The processor may receive a signal from the remote controller. The processor may maneuver the vehicle from one location to another according to the signal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to autonomous vehicles and,more particularly, to virtual reality remote valet parking.

BACKGROUND

With ever-increasing vehicle ownership and number of vehicles in use,parking has been an issue for many vehicle drivers. Some of the commonparking issues may include, for example, inadequate information fordrivers, inefficient use of existing parking capacity, excessivevehicles in use, inconvenient parking space, inconvenient parkingoptions, confusing parking policies, lack of sufficient parking at eventsites, and low parking turnover rates. As a result, many vehicle driverstend to waste time looking for parking. Moreover, traffic congestion mayoccur or become worsened due to vehicle drivers driving vehicles insearch of parking space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present disclosureare described with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figuresunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting an example scenario in which embodimentsin accordance with the present disclosure may be utilized.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting an example apparatus in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting an example process in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting an example process in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings that form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way ofillustrating specific exemplary embodiments in which the disclosure maybe practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the concepts disclosedherein, and it is to be understood that modifications to the variousdisclosed embodiments may be made, and other embodiments may beutilized, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example scenario 100 in which embodiments inaccordance with the present disclosure may be utilized. To address theaforementioned issue with a remote operator taking over an autonomousvehicle, the present disclosure proposes techniques, schemes, processesand apparatus pertaining to virtual reality autonomous vehicle takeover.Under a proposed scheme, as shown in scenario 100, a vehicle 110 may beequipped, configured, installed or otherwise provided with a controlsystem that includes at least a processor 115, a front-facing camera112, a rear-facing camera 117, a wireless transceiver 118 and one ormore sensors 119(1)-119(M). In some embodiments, vehicle 110 may be afully-autonomous vehicle. Alternatively, vehicle 110 may be a vehiclecapable of operating in a manual mode (e.g., operated by a human driver)and in an autonomous mode without human intervention under normalconditions.

Under scheme 100, a user 150 may utilize a virtual reality-basedcontroller 120 to take over control of vehicle 110. Virtualreality-based controller 120 may include a headset 122 and a computingapparatus 125 communicatively coupled to headset 122. Computingapparatus 125 may include a processor 128, which may control theoperations of virtual reality-based controller 120. User 150 may wearheadset 122 and communicate with and control operations (e.g., steeringand/or speed) of vehicle 110 via a wireless communication. In someembodiments, data transmitted and received via the wirelesscommunication may be in accordance with in accordance with a UserDatagram Protocol (UDP). In some embodiments, the wireless communicationmay be established directly between computing apparatus 125 and wirelesstransceiver 118 of vehicle 110. Alternatively or additionally, thewireless communication may be established indirectly between computingapparatus 125 and wireless transceiver 118 of vehicle 110 via one ormore wired and/or wireless networks (represented by a network 130 inFIG. 1) and a wireless station 135.

Camera 112 may be capable of capturing one or more streams of videoimages of a front view of vehicle 110, which may be viewed by user 150wearing headset 122. Similarly, camera 117 may be capable of capturingone or more streams of video images of a rear view of vehicle 110, whichmay be viewed by user 150 wearing headset 122. Camera 112 may be mountedon a gimbal mount 114 which allows three-dimensional (3D) movement ofcamera 112. Gimbal mount 114 may be, for example, custom-made by 3Dprinting. In some embodiments, vehicle 110 may also include one or moreactuators 116 and associated servos (not shown) that are capable ofadjusting the position of camera 112 by turning, pivoting and/orrotating gimbal mount 114. That is, the one or more actuators 116 may becommunicatively coupled to processor 115 to receive signals fromprocessor 115 to adjust the position and/or orientation of camera 112accordingly.

Processor 115 may receive one or more streams of video images from eachof camera 112 and camera 117. Processor 115 may transmit, via wirelesstransceiver 118, the one or more streams of video images to processor128 of computing apparatus 125, which may enable virtual reality viewingof the video images by user 150 on headset 122. Thus, user 150 mayremotely view real-time video feed from the perspective of camera 112and camera 117, as if user 150 were the driver of vehicle 110, toremotely take over or control operations of vehicle 110 using a driversetup, a vehicle interior setup, a steering while, one or more gearknobs and/or a pedal set of the virtual reality-based controller 120.For simplicity, the driver setup, vehicle interior setup, steeringwhile, one or more gear knobs and pedal set of the virtual reality-basedcontroller 120 are not shown in FIG. 1. Upon receiving user input fromuser 150, processor 128 may provide a maneuvering signal to processor115 to control a steering of vehicle 110, a speed of vehicle 110, orboth.

Headset 122 may be equipped, configured or otherwise provided with oneor more components (e.g., accelerometer(s) and/or gyroscope(s)) capableof sensing movements and motions of headset 122 to sense and providesignal(s) indicative of a roll 124, a pitch 126, a yaw 128, or acombination thereof with respect to the position of headset 122 (andhead of user 150). Upon receiving such signal(s) from headset 122,processor 128 may detect a change in the position and/or motion ofheadset 122, and may provide a camera adjustment signal to processor 115to adjust, via the one or more actuators 114, a position of camera 112(e.g., a roll, a pitch, a yaw, or a combination thereof) in response tothe detection. Real-time audio, microphone(s) and/or button(s) may beprovided in or on headset 122 to allow user 150 to initiate a pop-up ofa rear-view video feed from camera 117 in a corner of a display ofheadset 122.

With real-time video feed from camera 112 (and camera 117), headset 122allows user 150 to see a view of camera 112 (and camera 117) in avirtual reality setting as if user 150 were actually driving vehicle110. As the position of headset 122 is captured without relation to amounted sensor, user 150 may be able to reset camera 110 to a defaultposition (e.g., front-facing pose). For instance, processor 128 mayreceive a user input for resetting or otherwise returning camera 110 toits default position and, accordingly, may provide a reset signal toprocessor 115 to adjust a position of camera 112 to point camera 112 ina front-facing direction with respect to vehicle 110 according to thereset signal.

The one or more sensors 119(1)-119(M) may be capable of sensing one ormore aspects or parameters with respect to vehicle 110 in whichapparatus 200 is installed, and generate sensor data representative of aresult of the sensing. For instance, the one or more sensors119(1)-119(M) may include one or more accelerometers, one or moregyroscopes, one or more pressure sensors, one or more piezoelectricsensors, one or more microphones and/or one or more image sensors. Theone or more sensors 119(1)-119(M) may detect various conditions withrespect to vehicle 110 such as, for example and without limitation,whether vehicle 110 is moving, whether vehicle 110 is not moving,whether vehicle 110 is occupied by occupant(s), and whether a humandriver has released control of vehicle 110 to autonomous driving orremote control of vehicle 110.

Under scheme 100, virtual reality-based controller 120 may becommunicatively connected to one or more parking management systems(represented by a parking management server 140 in FIG. 1) via network130 to receive parking information about one or more parking lots, whichmay enable the provision of a remote valet service to vehicles such asvehicle 110. The parking information received from server 140 mayinclude information of one or more parking lots as well as vacancy(e.g., availability of unoccupied parking space) at each of the one ormore parking lots. The remote valet service allows the driver of vehicle110 to stop vehicle 110 (e.g., at road side or near a parking lot) andlet the remote valet service take control of vehicle 110. The remotevalet driver (e.g., user 150) may use a parking system program or app,or obtain parking information from server 140, to find one or moreunoccupied parking spaces at one or more parking lots near vehicle 110.The remote valet driver may then park vehicle 110 by remotelycontrolling vehicle 110 to maneuver vehicle 110 to move from its currentlocation to one of the one or more unoccupied parking spaces at aparking lot.

Under scheme 100, during the rendering of the remote valet service,processor 115 may continuously or periodically receive sensor data fromthe one or more sensors 119(1)-119(M) to determine whether a predefinedsituation with respect to vehicle 110 exists based on the sensor data.The predefined situation may include, for example and withoutlimitation, the maneuvering of vehicle 110 by remote valet driverincluding one or more unsafe actions (e.g., driving exceedingly fastand/or driving too close to surrounding vehicle(s) and/orpedestrian(s)). In response to determining that the predefined situationexists, processor 115 may perform at least one operation of one or moreoperations. The one or more operations may include notifying the remotecontroller about the situation and/or limiting at least one aspect ofmaneuvering of the vehicle by the remote controller. For instance,processor 115 may apply a brake to slow down vehicle 110, limit anamount of steering by the remote valet driver to avoid collision, ortake any suitable actions to avoid or mitigate a crash or collision.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example apparatus 200 in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. Apparatus 200 may perform variousfunctions related to techniques, schemes, methods and systems describedherein pertaining to virtual reality remote valet parking, includingthose described above with respect to scenario 100 as well as thosedescribed below with respect to process 300 and process 400. Apparatus200 may be implemented in vehicle 110 in scenario 100 to effect variousembodiments in accordance with the present disclosure. That is, in someembodiments, apparatus 200 may be an example implementation of thecontrol system of vehicle 110. Apparatus 200 may include one, some orall of the components shown in FIG. 2. Apparatus 200 may also includeone or more other components not be pertinent to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure and, thus, such component(s) is/are not shown inFIG. 2 and a description thereof is not provided herein in the interestof brevity.

Apparatus 200 may include at least a processor 210, which may include acontrol circuit 212 and a communication circuit 214. Processor 210 maybe an example implementation of processor 115 of vehicle 110. Processor210 may be implemented in the form of one or more single-coreprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more complexinstruction set computing (CISC) processors. Thus, even though asingular term “a processor” is used herein to refer to processor 210,processor 210 may include multiple processors in some embodiments and asingle processor in other embodiments in accordance with the presentdisclosure. In another aspect, processor 210 may be implemented in theform of hardware (and, optionally, firmware) with electronic componentsincluding, for example and without limitation, one or more transistors,one or more diodes, one or more capacitors, one or more resistors and/orone or more inductors that are configured and arranged to achievespecific purposes in accordance with the present disclosure. In otherwords, in at least some embodiments, processor 210 is a special-purposemachine specifically designed, arranged and configured to performspecific tasks including virtual reality remote valet parking inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, apparatus 200 may include a front-facing camera 220and a rear-facing camera 225 each capable of capturing one or morestreams of video images. Each of camera 220 and camera 225 may becommunicatively coupled to processor 210 to provide video signals of oneor more streams of video images captured by camera 220 and camera 225.In some embodiments, camera 220 may be mounted on a gimbal mount (e.g.,gimbal mount 114) which allows 3D movement of camera 220. In someembodiments, apparatus 200 may also include one or more actuators250(1)-250(N) that are capable of adjusting the position of camera 220by turning, pivoting and/or rotating the gimbal mount on which camera220 is mounted. That is, the one or more actuators 250(1)-250(N) may becommunicatively coupled to processor 210 to receive signals fromprocessor 210 to adjust the position and/or orientation of camera 220accordingly.

In some embodiments, apparatus 200 may include a wireless transceiver230 communicatively coupled to processor 210. Wireless transceiver 230may be capable of establishing wireless communications with one or morenetworks (e.g., network 130) and/or a remote controller (e.g., virtualreality-based controller 120). In some embodiments, the wirelesstransceiver 230 may be capable of transmitting and receiving data inaccordance with the UDP.

In some embodiments, apparatus 200 may include a vehicle controlinterface 240 communicatively coupled to processor 210 such thatprocessor 210 may autonomously control, operate or otherwise maneuverthe vehicle (e.g., vehicle 110) without human input, control and/orintervention. Vehicle control interface 240 may communicate withnecessary mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic componentsof the vehicle for the control and/or maneuvering of the vehicle. Thus,upon receiving signals and/or commands from processor 210, vehiclecontrol interface 240 may actuate, activate, control and/or operate oneor more parts of the vehicle (e.g., to drive and maneuver the vehicle).

In some embodiments, apparatus 200 may include one or more sensors260(1)-260(M). The one or more sensors 260(1)-260(M) may be capable ofsensing one or more aspects or parameters with respect to the vehicle inwhich apparatus 200 is installed, and generate sensor datarepresentative of a result of the sensing. For instance, the one or moresensors 260(1)-260(M) may include one or more accelerometers, one ormore gyroscopes, one or more pressure sensors, one or more piezoelectricsensors, one or more microphones and/or one or more image sensors. Theone or more sensors 260(1)-260(M) may detect various conditions withrespect to the vehicle such as, for example and without limitation,whether the vehicle is moving, whether the vehicle is not moving,whether the vehicle is occupied by occupant(s), and whether a humandriver has released control of the vehicle to autonomous driving orremote control of the vehicle.

In some embodiments, communications between two of more components ofapparatus 200 may be wireless communications in accordance with suitableprotocol(s), standard(s) and/or specification(s). For instance, thecommunications between processor 210 and one or more of camera 220,camera 225, wireless transceiver 230, vehicle control interface 240, theone or more actuators 250(1)-250(N) and the one or more sensors260(1)-260(M) may be based on one or more Wi-Fi technologies inaccordance with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE) 802.11 standards. Additionally or alternatively, other wirelesstechnologies such as Bluetooth, Near-Field Communication (NFC), infraredand/or ultrasound may be utilized.

Communication circuit 214 may be capable of establishing, via thewireless transceiver 230, a wireless communication with a remotecontroller (e.g., processor 128 of computing apparatus 125 of virtualreality-based controller 120). Communication circuit 214 may be capableof receiving a signal from the remote controller. Control circuit 212may be capable of providing, via the wireless transceiver 230, thestream of video images captured by camera 220 to the remote controller.Control circuit 212 may also be capable of maneuvering the vehicle tomove from one location to another according to the signal.

In some embodiments, communication circuit 212 may be capable ofdetermining an existence of a condition with respect to the vehicle andnotifying, via the wireless transceiver 230, the remote controller aboutthe condition. In some embodiments, the receiving of the signal may be aresult of notifying the remote controller about the condition. In someembodiments, the condition may include stopping of the vehicle,releasing of control of the vehicle by a human driver of the vehicle, orboth.

In some embodiments, communication circuit 214 may be capable ofreceiving, via the wireless transceiver 230, a camera adjustment signalfrom the remote controller. In such cases, control circuit 212 may becapable of controlling the one or more actuators to adjust the positionof camera 220 according to the camera adjustment signal.

In some embodiments, control circuit 212 may be capable of receiving thesensor data from the one or more sensors 260(1)-260(M). Additionally,control circuit 212 may also be capable of determining that a situationwith respect to the vehicle exists based on the sensor data. Moreover,control circuit 212 may be capable of performing at least one operationof one or more operations responsive to the determining. For instance,the situation may include the maneuvering of the vehicle by the remotecontroller including one or more unsafe actions. In such cases, controlcircuit 212 may notify, via the wireless transceiver 230, the remotecontroller about the situation. Control circuit 212 may also control thevehicle control interface 240 to limit at least one aspect ofmaneuvering of the vehicle by the remote controller (e.g., controllingvehicle control interface 240 to apply a brake to slow down the vehicle,limiting an amount of steering by the remote controller to avoidcollision, or taking any suitable actions to avoid or mitigate a crashor collision).

FIG. 3 illustrates an example process 300 in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. Process 300 may include one ormore operations, actions, or functions shown as blocks such as 310, 320,330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 392 and 394. Although illustrated asdiscrete blocks, various blocks of process 300 may be divided intoadditional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, dependingon the desired implementation. Process 300 may be implemented inscenario 100 and/or by apparatus 200. For illustrative purposes andwithout limitation, the following description of process 300 is providedin the context of scenario 100. Process 300 may begin with block 310.

At 310, process 300 may involve processor 115 of vehicle 110establishing a wireless communication with a remote controller (e.g.,processor 128 of computing apparatus 125 of virtual reality-basedcontroller 120). Process 300 may proceed from 310 to 320.

At 320, process 300 may involve processor 115 providing a stream ofvideo images captured by a camera of the vehicle (e.g., camera 112 ofvehicle 110) to the remote controller. Process 300 may proceed from 320to 330.

At 330, process 300 may involve processor 115 receiving a signal fromthe remote controller. Process 300 may proceed from 330 to 340.

At 340, process 300 may involve processor 115 maneuvering vehicle 110 tomove from one location to another according to the signal. Process 300may proceed from 340 to 350, 370 and/or 390.

At 350, process 300 may involve processor 115 determining that acondition with respect to vehicle 110 exists. In some embodiments, thecondition may include stopping of vehicle 110, releasing of control ofvehicle 110 by a human driver of vehicle 110, or both. Process 300 mayproceed from 350 to 360.

At 360, process 300 may involve processor 115 notifying the remotecontroller about the condition. In some embodiments, the receiving ofthe maneuvering signal may be a result of processor 115 notifying theremote controller about the condition.

At 370, process 300 may involve processor 115 receiving a cameraadjustment signal from the remote controller. Process 300 may proceedfrom 370 to 380.

At 380, process 300 may involve processor 115 controlling one or moreactuators 116 to adjust a position of camera 112 according to the cameraadjustment signal. In some embodiments, in controlling the one or moreactuators 116 to adjust the position of camera 112, process 300 mayinvolve processor 115 adjusting a roll, a pitch, a yaw, or a combinationthereof with respect to the position of camera 112.

At 390, process 300 may involve processor 115 receiving sensor data fromone or more sensors associated with vehicle 110 (e.g., one or moresensors 119(1)-119(M)). Process 300 may proceed from 390 to 392.

At 392, process 300 may involve processor 115 determining that asituation with respect to vehicle 110 exists based on the sensor data.Process 300 may proceed from 392 to 394.

At 394, process 300 may involve processor 115 performing at least oneoperation of one or more operations responsive to the determining. Forinstance, the situation may include the maneuvering of vehicle 110 bythe remote controller including one or more unsafe actions. In suchcases, process 300 may involve processor 115 notifying the remotecontroller about the situation. Additionally, process 300 may involveprocessor 115 limiting at least one aspect of maneuvering of vehicle 110by the remote controller.

In some embodiments, the providing of the stream of video images, thereceiving of the signal, or both, may be done in accordance with theUDP.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example process 400 in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. Process 400 may include one ormore operations, actions, or functions shown as blocks such as 410, 420,430 and 440, as well as sub-blocks 442, 444, 446 and 448. Althoughillustrated as discrete blocks, various blocks of process 400 may bedivided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, oreliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Process 400 may beimplemented in scenario 100 and/or by apparatus 200. For illustrativepurposes and without limitation, the following description of process400 is provided in the context of scenario 100. Process 400 may beginwith block 410.

At 410, process 400 may involve processor 128 of a virtual reality-basedcontroller 120 establishing a wireless communication with a controlsystem of a vehicle (e.g., processor 115 of vehicle 110). Process 400may proceed from 410 to 420.

At 420, process 400 may involve processor 128 receiving a stream ofvideo images captured by a camera associated with vehicle 110 (e.g.,camera 112 of vehicle 110). Process 400 may proceed from 420 to 430.

At 430, process 400 may involve processor 128 creating a virtual realityview (e.g., on headset 122 for user 120) from a perspective of a driverof vehicle 110 based at least in part on the stream of video images.Process 400 may proceed from 430 to 440.

At 440, process 400 may involve processor 128 providing a signal toprocessor 115 of the control system to maneuver vehicle 110 to move fromone location to another. In providing the signal to processor 115 tomaneuver vehicle 110 from one location to another, process 400 mayinvolve processor 128 performing a number of operations as shown insub-blocks 442, 444, 446 and 448.

At 442, process 400 may involve processor 128 determining a currentlocation of vehicle 110. Process 400 may proceed from 442 to 444.

At 444, process 400 may involve processor 128 determining a parkinglocation of an available parking space. Process 400 may proceed from 444to 446.

At 446, process 400 may involve processor 128 determining a route tomove vehicle 110 from the current location to the parking location.Process 400 may proceed from 446 to 448.

At 448, process 400 may involve processor 128 generating the signalaccording to the determined route.

In some embodiments, the receiving of the stream of video images, theproviding of the signal to the control system, or both, may be inaccordance with the UDP.

In some embodiments, in providing the signal to the control system,process 400 may involve processor 128 receiving a notification from thecontrol system indicating an existence of a condition with respect tovehicle 110. Moreover, process 400 may involve processor 128 providingthe signal to the control system responsive to receiving thenotification. In some embodiments, the condition may include stopping ofvehicle 110, releasing of control of vehicle 110 by a human driver ofvehicle 110, or both.

In some embodiments, process 400 may involve processor 128 detecting achange in position of a headset (e.g., a roll, a pitch, a yaw, or acombination thereof with respect to the position of headset 122)associated with the virtual reality-based controller. Additionally,process 400 may involve processor 128 providing a camera adjustmentsignal to the control system to adjust a position of camera 112associated with vehicle 110 responsive to the detecting. In someembodiments, the adjustment of camera 112 may involve adjusting a roll,a pitch, a yaw, or a combination thereof with respect to the position ofcamera 112.

In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way ofillustration specific implementations in which the present disclosuremay be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may beutilized and structural changes may be made without departing from thescope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to “oneembodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicatethat the embodiment described may include a particular feature,structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarilyinclude the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover,such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic isdescribed in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it iswithin the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature,structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodimentswhether or not explicitly described.

Implementations of the systems, apparatuses, devices, and methodsdisclosed herein may comprise or utilize a special purpose orgeneral-purpose computer including computer hardware, such as, forexample, one or more processors and system memory, as discussed herein.Implementations within the scope of the present disclosure may alsoinclude physical and other computer-readable media for carrying orstoring computer-executable instructions and/or data structures. Suchcomputer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby a general purpose or special purpose computer system.Computer-readable media that store computer-executable instructions arecomputer storage media (devices). Computer-readable media that carrycomputer-executable instructions are transmission media. Thus, by way ofexample, and not limitation, implementations of the present disclosurecan comprise at least two distinctly different kinds ofcomputer-readable media: computer storage media (devices) andtransmission media.

Computer storage media (devices) includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM,solid state drives (“SSDs”) (e.g., based on RAM), Flash memory,phase-change memory (“PCM”), other types of memory, other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium which can be used to store desired program code means inthe form of computer-executable instructions or data structures andwhich can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.

An implementation of the devices, systems, and methods disclosed hereinmay communicate over a computer network. A “network” is defined as oneor more data links that enable the transport of electronic data betweencomputer systems and/or modules and/or other electronic devices. Wheninformation is transferred or provided over a network or anothercommunications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or anycombination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computerproperly views the connection as a transmission medium. Transmissionsmedia can include a network and/or data links, which can be used tocarry desired program code means in the form of computer-executableinstructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a generalpurpose or special purpose computer. Combinations of the above shouldalso be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions anddata which, when executed at a processor, cause a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing deviceto perform a certain function or group of functions. The computerexecutable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediateformat instructions such as assembly language, or even source code.Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the described features or acts described above.Rather, the described features and acts are disclosed as example formsof implementing the claims.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure maybe practiced in network computing environments with many types ofcomputer system configurations, including, an in-dash vehicle computer,personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, messageprocessors, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, tablets,pagers, routers, switches, various storage devices, and the like. Thedisclosure may also be practiced in distributed system environmentswhere local and remote computer systems, which are linked (either byhardwired data links, wireless data links, or by any combination ofhardwired and wireless data links) through a network, both performtasks. In a distributed system environment, program modules may belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Further, where appropriate, functions described herein can be performedin one or more of: hardware, software, firmware, digital components, oranalog components. For example, one or more application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs) can be programmed to carry out one or moreof the systems and procedures described herein. Certain terms are usedthroughout the description and claims to refer to particular systemcomponents. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, components may bereferred to by different names. This document does not intend todistinguish between components that differ in name, but not function.

It should be noted that the sensor embodiments discussed above maycomprise computer hardware, software, firmware, or any combinationthereof to perform at least a portion of their functions. For example, asensor may include computer code configured to be executed in one ormore processors, and may include hardware logic/electrical circuitrycontrolled by the computer code. These example devices are providedherein purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting.Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in furthertypes of devices, as would be known to persons skilled in the relevantart(s).

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure have been directedto computer program products comprising such logic (e.g., in the form ofsoftware) stored on any computer useable medium. Such software, whenexecuted in one or more data processing devices, causes a device tooperate as described herein.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilledin the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure shouldnot be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, butshould be defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents. The foregoing description has been presented for thepurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light ofthe above teaching. Further, it should be noted that any or all of theaforementioned alternate implementations may be used in any combinationdesired to form additional hybrid implementations of the presentdisclosure.

1. A method, comprising: establishing, by a processor of a controlsystem of a vehicle, a wireless communication with a remote controller;providing, by the processor, a stream of video images captured by acamera of the vehicle to the remote controller; receiving, by theprocessor, a signal from the remote controller; and maneuvering, by theprocessor, the vehicle to move from one location to another according tothe signal.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of thestream of video images, the receiving of the signal, or both, is inaccordance with a User Datagram Protocol (UDP).
 3. The method of claim1, further comprising: receiving, by the processor, sensor data from oneor more sensors associated with the vehicle; determining, by theprocessor, that a situation with respect to the vehicle exists based onthe sensor data; and performing, by the processor, at least oneoperation of one or more operations responsive to the determining, theone or more operations comprising: notifying the remote controller aboutthe situation; and limiting at least one aspect of maneuvering of thevehicle by the remote controller.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein thesituation comprises the maneuvering of the vehicle by the remotecontroller including one or more unsafe actions.
 5. The method of claim1, further comprising: determining, by the processor, an existence of acondition with respect to the vehicle; and notifying, by the processor,the remote controller about the condition, wherein the receiving of thesignal comprises receiving the signal responsive to the notifying of theremote controller about the condition.
 6. The method of claim 3, whereinthe condition comprises stopping of the vehicle, releasing of control ofthe vehicle by a human driver of the vehicle, or both.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the processor, a cameraadjustment signal from the remote controller; and controlling, by theprocessor, one or more actuators to adjust a position of the cameraaccording to the camera adjustment signal.
 8. The method of claim 5,wherein the controlling of the one or more actuators to adjust theposition of the camera comprises adjusting a roll, a pitch, a yaw, or acombination thereof with respect to the position of the camera.
 9. Amethod, comprising: establishing, by a processor of a virtualreality-based controller, a wireless communication with a control systemof a vehicle; receiving, by the processor, a stream of video imagescaptured by a camera associated with the vehicle; creating, by theprocessor, a virtual reality view of from a perspective of a driver ofthe vehicle based at least in part on the stream of video images; andproviding, by the processor, a signal to the control system to maneuverthe vehicle from one location to another.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the receiving of the stream of video images, the providing ofthe signal to the control system, or both, is in accordance with a UserDatagram Protocol (UDP).
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein theproviding of the signal to the control system to maneuver the vehiclefrom one location to another comprises: determining a current locationof the vehicle; determining a parking location of an available parkingspace; determining a route to move the vehicle from the current locationto the parking location; and generating the signal according to thedetermined route.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the providing ofthe signal to the control system comprises: receiving, by the processor,a notification from the control system indicating an existence of acondition with respect to the vehicle; and providing, by the processor,the signal to the control system responsive to receiving thenotification.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the conditioncomprises stopping of the vehicle, releasing of control of the vehicleby a human driver of the vehicle, or both.
 14. The method of claim 9,further comprising: detecting, by the processor, a change in position ofa headset associated with the virtual reality-based controller; andproviding, by the processor, a camera adjustment signal to the controlsystem to adjust a position of the camera associated with the vehicleresponsive to the detecting.
 15. An apparatus implementable in avehicle, comprising: a camera mounted on a gimbal and capable ofcapturing a stream of video images; one or more actuators capable ofadjusting a position of the camera; a vehicle control interface capableof operating one or more components of the vehicle to maneuver thevehicle; a wireless transceiver capable of wirelessly communicating witha remote controller; and a processor communicatively coupled to thecamera, the one or more actuators, the vehicle control interface, andthe wireless transceiver, the processor capable of performing operationscomprising: establishing, via the wireless transceiver, a wirelesscommunication with the remote controller; providing, via the wirelesstransceiver, the stream of video images captured by the camera to theremote controller; receiving, via the wireless transceiver, a signalfrom the remote controller; and maneuvering the vehicle to move from onelocation to another according to the signal.
 16. The apparatus of claim15, wherein the providing of the stream of video images, the receivingof the signal, or both, is in accordance with a User Datagram Protocol(UDP).
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor is furthercapable of performing operations comprising: determining an existence ofa condition with respect to the vehicle; and notifying, via the wirelesstransceiver, the remote controller about the condition, wherein thereceiving of the signal comprises receiving the signal responsive to thenotifying of the remote controller about the condition, and wherein thecondition comprises stopping of the vehicle, releasing of control of thevehicle by a human driver of the vehicle, or both.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein the processor is further capable of performingoperations comprising: receiving, via the wireless transceiver, a cameraadjustment signal from the remote controller; and controlling the one ormore actuators to adjust the position of the camera according to thecamera adjustment signal.
 19. The apparatus of claim 15, furthercomprising: one or more sensors capable of sensing one or more aspectsof the vehicle and providing sensor data responsive to the sensing,wherein the processor is further capable of performing operationscomprising: receiving the sensor data from the one or more sensors;determining that a situation with respect to the vehicle exists based onthe sensor data; and performing at least one operation of one or moreoperations responsive to the determining, the one or more operationscomprising: notifying, via the wireless transceiver, the remotecontroller about the situation; and controlling the vehicle controlinterface to limit at least one aspect of maneuvering of the vehicle bythe remote controller.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein thesituation comprises the maneuvering of the vehicle by the remotecontroller including one or more unsafe actions.